At $27,401/yr net price, Abilene Christian University graduates earn $55,736/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,736/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,401 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $109,604 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,736/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,736/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,928/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,199/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,921/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,540/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,121/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $64,068 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $63,005 | $54,837 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,522 | $24,850 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $22,375 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. | Certificate | $54,661 | $33,823 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Master | $53,358 | $40,875 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $49,631 | $41,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $44,747 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $44,170 | $21,500 |
| Social Work. | Master | $43,426 |
The Risk Factor
60.2% of students at Abilene Christian University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Abilene Christian gives you a moderate return that depends heavily on which major you pick. Median earnings ten years out land near $55,700 against a net price around $27,400 a year, so the school pays off if you finish and choose the right field. The 60% graduation rate is the first risk: four in ten students don't finish in the standard window, and dropping out means carrying debt without the degree that repays it.
Nursing and finance are the clear winners here. Both clear $57,000 with debt in the low-to-mid $20,000s, which is the best ratio on this campus. Finance stands out because it pairs high earnings with the lowest debt of any listed program at $22,375. Nursing gives you a stable Texas job market to land in right after graduation.
The education majors are where the math turns against you. Teacher preparation programs pay in the low-to-mid $40,000s while piling on $27,000 in debt, the highest of any program listed here. You'll graduate owing more and earning less, which is the worst combination on this page. Business administration lands in the same soft range but with lighter debt, so it stings less.
The net price tiers stay compressed at the bottom. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $22,900. over $110,000, you pay about $32,100. That flat structure means lower-income families don't get the steep discounts some private schools offer, so the sticker feels heavy at every income level.
Pick Abilene Christian if you're set on nursing or finance and committed to graduating. If you're headed into teaching, run the numbers hard first, because the debt-to-pay ratio works against you here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abilene Christian University worth the cost?
With a net price of $27,401 and median earnings of $55,736 after 10 years, ACU provides modest returns that barely justify the cost for most students. The 60% graduation rate means 4 in 10 students never finish, making this a risky investment.
What are the best paying majors at Abilene Christian University?
Accounting leads at $64,068 annually, followed by communication disorders at $63,005 and nursing at $58,522. Most other programs fall well below these figures, with some barely reaching $50,000 despite the high tuition costs.
How much student debt do Abilene Christian University graduates have?
The median debt is $24,250, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with starting salaries often in the $50,000 range, graduates still face tight budgets for several years after graduation.
Does Abilene Christian University have good job placement rates?
The school's 60% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs. While specific job placement data isn't available, the modest salary outcomes indicate graduates face competitive job markets in most fields.